Located in Palatine, IL, Deer Grove Forest Preserve has trails that offer a moderate level of difficulty. At almost 10 miles in length, the hiking trials make Deer Grove worth a visit. Split into two very individual sites connected by paved and unpaved trials, the east preserve features open wetlands surrounded by old fields and an in-progress savanna and prairie restoration. The west side is wilder, the forest denser and crisscrossed with footpaths along the rolling terrain. Quite woodlands, white-tailed deer and a completely different experience await the hiker on the west side. Both paths are equally enchanting.

Round Lake Area Park District offers visitors a wide range of activities and facilities to enjoy. They include the Renwood Golf Course, the new sports center, the Prairie Grass Nature Museum, community theatre, outdoor pool/aquatic center, fitness center, child development center, teen center, senior center and acres of picturesque parklands. Private parties/outings at any of the facilities can be accommodated.

This 8-mile singletrack in Carpentersville, IL. is perfect for beginners without giving up on the excitement. The terrain is varied with steep descents, plenty of jumps, twisty trails through the woods and long stretches through meadows.

This golf course has been ranked as one of the top ten 9 hole golf courses in Chicagoland. Situated in Vernon Hills, this challenging 9-hole municipal course boasts small greens, rolling terrain, tight fairways and seven holes featuring water. Golfers of all skill levels will appreciate both the playability and the eye-catching views. The full-service clubhouse features a varied lunch menu, which is served all day and a full-service bar. Banquet facilities available for up to 80 people.

A historic tradition lives on at the Elmhurst Park District Conservatory and greenhouses, located in Wilder Park. The conservatory holds four main plant displays a year: a Easter and Calla Lilies in the spring, Chrysanthemums in the fall, Poinsettias in December and an Environmental show with various themes in the Winter. In addition youth education programs are offered with our in house Horticulturist.

Ft. Sheridan's history is closely tied to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Lt. Gen. Philip Sheridan was put in charge of settling the unrest after the fire. Members of the Commercial Club which represented Chicago businessmen petitioned to establish an artillery school and military installation north of Chicago for their safety. Ft. Sheridan is now a beautiful forest preserve with rolling terrain, bluffs and ravines full of rich history. Trails wind through the preserves for outdoor enthusiasts or tour groups may take a walking or motorcoach windshield tour of the preserve.

The Busse Woods Trail system is located within Ned Brown Forest Preserve, a 3,700-acre property in the western suburbs. There are 11.2 miles of paved trails for cyclists, equestrians and pedestrians. The main loop is nearly 8 miles, circling some lakes and meadows, while a couple of much shorter side loops will take you to the north and south end of the forest preserve. The Busse Woods Trail connects with the Schaumburg Bikeway on the west, and on the north, Busse Woods links to the Rolling Meadows Bikeway system. Some key features of the forest preserve include fishing, boat rentals and a small herd of captive resident elk. The trails are open from sunrise to sunset.

The Quarry Cable Park & Grille is located on the 32-acre North Lake of Three Oaks Recreation Area in Crystal Lake. Enjoy wakeboarding at this next-generation cable wake park complete with a Full-Size Six-Tower cable system with jumps and features for experienced riders and two System 2.0 Two-Tower cable systems for beginners. Stay a little longer and enjoy the lakefront tap & grille, fire pits, live entertainment, sand volleyball, baggo, and open-air yoga. While promoting recreation and relaxation, The Quarry aims to provide a new approach to staying active for visitors near and far and invites everyone to unearth their potential.

The 9-mile Green Bay Trail covers North Shore towns such as Kenilworth, Winnetka, Highland Park and Lake Bluff. Because the trail stays generally within a mile of Lake Michigan, you can take any number of on-road side trips for beachfront views of the lake. The trail is suitable for even the youngest of riders, although the route does use some sidewalks and even a very small portion of residential road in Kenilworth. In addition, the surface alternates between asphalt and crushed limestone. Inexperienced cyclists and those with young children should use particular caution at road crossings and with any road riding.

The Wright Woods Forest Preserve located in Mettawa offers 4 miles of scenic trails: a short loop for hikers, bicyclists and skiers that circles a pond, and a 3-mile loop for hikers, bicyclists, skiers and horses. This preserve also has footbridge spanning the Des Plaines River, which links Wright Woods to Half Day Forest Preserve.

The McDonald Woods Forest Preserve in Lindenhurst, offers gentle, rolling grassy terrain. It’s the perfect place to hike, bicycle and cross-country ski. Take the 3.8-mile loop around the woods and wetlands for some great exercise. A 0.3-mile wood-chip trail designed for hiking and cross-country skiing leads to a basswood and sugar maple forest, glowing yellow in autumn. A cooling ravine beckons below where migrant songbirds feast on insects, and water skimmers dart atop the clear water.

A local favorite since 1928, White Pines is conveniently located minutes from O'Hare, and its two year-round 18-hole courses are situated on 240 beautiful acres. Banquet facilities are perfect for golf outings, weddings, business or social events, large and small.

A well-maintained par 27-layout, with holes ranging between 100 and 210 yards. With the course length being 1,265 yards, Greenshire will test the best of golfer's short game and provides a course for all skill levels to enjoy. The ability to play a round in less than 1.5 hours offers experienced players an alternative to the driving range. Comprehensive instruction from PGA professionals, ladies leagues and exciting events are also offered. Located just north of Waukegan in Beach Park, this course offers everyone, from the novice golfer to even the most accomplished golfer, a real short-game challenge. Open seasonally.

Have you ever wanted to see the beautiful city of Chicago from above? Join us for an amazing helicopter skyline tour where you will see the city from a birds eye view! This is one of the most incredible adventures you can ever imagine. During our flight you will see all that the Chicagoland area has to offer.

The Lake Bluff Park District's 18-hole, 6,589 yard course boasts challenging greens set in a tranquil environment and grass teen practice facility. The Lake Bluff Golf Club is a wonderfully balanced golf course with mature tree-lined fairways and bent grass fairways and greens for a consistently enjoyable playing experience. The facility also includes an expansive practice facility with grass tee driving range, practice putting green, and short-game area with bunker. The professionally stocked Pro Shop and the Village Grill, which serves delicious food and a wide selection of beverages, are a couple of the superior amenities available to guests of the club.

Apple Orchard Golf Course is a nine hole, par three, public course located at 692 W. Stearns Rd. about 3/4 mile east of Route 59 on Stearns Road. Other features include a clubhouse equipped with snacks, beverages, beer, restrooms, golf accessories and indoor/outdoor sitting areas. Rental golf clubs and pull carts are available for a slight fee.

Pineapple Dance offers dance and fitness classes to adults and teens in Zumba, Traditional Belly Dance, Hip Hop, West African and more. Movement to music has been a vehicle for celebration and connection in ethnic cultures across the globe and history. The studio is available for rent, rehearsals and or meetings. Special group classes with any of our instructors are available.

The Mundelein Park & Recreation District includes the Steeple Chase Golf Club, Diamond Lake Beach and Barefoot Bay Family Aquatic Center. Established in 1954, the District has 32 park sites offering over 750 acres of open space, playgrounds, ballfields, lakes, and trials. Over 1,500 seasonal programs offered, including tennis and dance lessons, marital arts, softball and basketball leagues, swim instruction, art and music classes, health and wellness programs, culinary classes, adult day trips, science classes, family special events and day camps.

Stade's Farm & Market is located in scenic McHenry County in Northeastern Illinois, approximately 50 miles from Chicago. We produce 2,200 acres of crops that range from traditional corn and soybeans to specialty crops including many fruits and vegetables commonly grown in Northern Illinois. Through our own farm market, we sell our fresh fruits and vegetables directly to consumers in our local area. Our goal is to provide our customers with the finest quality produce possible.

Heinz Orchard is only 37 miles from downtown Chicago making it the closest apple orchard to Chicago. There are a number of different apples to pick from: Golden Delicious, Empire, McIntosh, Jonathan and Red Delicious. If you’re looking for something different to do, without traveling too far from home, this is a great orchard to check out.

This 18-hole course features a practice range, pro shop, snack shop and banquet facilities. Bartlett Hills Golf Club & Banquets is also an award-winning wedding venue that can accommodate up to 230 of your friends and family.

The Willow Glen Golf Club is home to a picturesque 18-hole layout that provides an enjoyable challenge for all skill levels. The new clubhouse is home to Buckley's Restaurant and Pub making Willow Glen one of the finest golf and dining experiences on the North Shore. Open to the public!

Deerpath Golf Course in Lake Forest opens for play in March and closes for the season on or about December 15. This 18-hole public course, measures 6,255 yards with a par 70 and 5,487 yards with a par 72 for women. The course has spectacular mature trees, high quality naturalized areas and beautiful water features including ponds and streams. The Deerpath Golf Academy offers the finest golf instruction on the North Shore. Golfers of all abilities will realize immediate and sustainable improvement for a lifetime of better golf.

Complete entertainment for all ages and interests. Bowling, mini golf, Go Karts, redemption arcade, batting cages, birthday parties and a haunted house. Lunch and dinner served daily. Bar and billards with various night time entertainment. A safe and fun environment for all members of the family. Kristof's is a smoke-free facility.

This beautiful 30,000-square-foot clubhouse features an upscale restaurant with patio seating and 18 holes of championship golf. Our scenic 18 hole Dick Nugent designed golf course, state of the art electric carts, beautiful clubhouse, outstanding food and exceptional service are sure to make your outing a success.

This 9-hole, par-35 course stretches over 3,000 yards. The well-maintained fairways and greens, along with sand and water hazards, offer a unique and challenging golf experience. The newly remodeled clubhouse is a picturesque location for a special event.

This 18-hole, par 72 public golf facility, designed by Keith Foster, opened in August, 1999 and has earned rave reviews as a course that is both challenging and exciting to play. Its design reflects the golden era of golf course architecture of the 1920's and 30's with bentgrass fairways, tees, and greens. Individuals, tournaments and golf outings welcome. Enjoy a sandwich and beverage in the full service clubhouse grill or enjoy refreshments on the veranda overlooking the 9th and 18th holes. The Eden Room is also available for events, golf outings and banquets, please call for more information.

Enjoy the delightful rural atmosphere at this semi-private facility located near the banks of the Fox River in lovely McHenry. Accept the challenge to play the longest hole in Illinois, measuring over 700 yards.

A Big Ten school and one of the leading universities in the U.S. Its Evanston campus is on the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan. Founded in 1851, this renowned educational institution is rich in stunning architecture. More than 150 historically significant and interesting sites on campus are featured in various walking tours, each taking approximately 30 minutes to complete. Highlights include the Arch, University Hall and the Arts Circle.

Come explore a child-sized world where children, birth to eight years old, experience creative play and develop their imaginations. Wonder Works is 6,400 square feet of fun and excitement with six permanent exhibits and special events. Memberships, daily admissions, field trip admissions, and during and after hours parties available.

Wheel and Sprocket located in Evanston, IL is an excellent source for all cyclists, offering new bikes, accessories as well as local ride information. You can ship your bike to Wheel and Sprocket and their staff will professionally reassemble it. Need a bike to get around? There is a fleet of bikes to rent by the hour or by the day.

Itasca Country Club is rich in tradition and offers a cost-effective solution for golf outings, corporate entertaining and special events in a picturesque setting. Enjoy beautiful surroundings, spectacular views, and the service of a fine country club-for your wedding reception or other banquet event. Amidst the elegant grounds and facilities, our skilled professional staff will put you at ease and ensure your special occasion is unforgettable.

The Fullersburg Woods Forest Preserve is an easy hike consisting of a 3.2-mile loop. The trail is good for all skill levels and offers a number of activity options. Nearly all of the hike follows Salt Creek as it winds around the bluff and past a few islands on its way to the historic watermill at the south tip of the park.

Come and play right in your backyard! Visit Maple Meadows for outings, leagues, tournaments, individual play, and the great food in our restaurant. 27 holes, no reservations required and a beautiful public course!

Rollins Savanna Trails in beautiful Rollins Savanna Forest Preserve is a outdoor enthusiasts dream; with 5.7-miles of easy to moderate terrain and a thriving habitat to explore. The landscape is dotted with ponds and marshes. Take a walk through lush prairie and thriving wetlands and see why the National Audubon Society named it one of America’s most important bird sites in 2005.

Boone Creek consists of three unique 9-hole courses that can be combined to make up three different 18-hole courses, allowing you to play a different course while visiting the same location. Boone Creek Golf Club has a natural setting with a number of wetlands and creeks that are home to a variety of wildlife including frogs, beavers, snapping turtles, wood ducks, deer, cranes, and red-tail hawks. Our golf course has large and undulating greens that provide some of the best putting surfaces in McHenry County.

Enjoy the beautiful blue of Lake Michigan aboard one of over one hundred charter fishing boats on the Lake County harbors of Waukegan and North Point. You will find the Coho running in the late spring, Lake Trout biting in mid-summer, and the Chinook come home to spawn in late summer and early fall. Whatever time of the year you go, you'll find expert charter fishing captains ready to make your time on the water a great one. For information on charter fishing opportunities and hotel information, please contact us.

Make Salt Creek Golf Club your golfing "home course". When you select a facility to patronize regularly, you want the facility that offers the full gamut of a private club without the dues. Our 18-hole executive style golf course will challenge golfers of all skill levels. Set amidst gently rolling terrain, mature tree, and beautiful ponds, Salt Creek's 3895 yard, par 63 course challenge players of all skill levels with tree-lined fairways and strategically placed sand bunkers.

Hamilton Lakes is home to the area's largest fireworks display synced to music as well as an annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games. The lakes also offers several fields good for soccer tournaments and other outdoor activities.

HeatherRidge Golf Course is a beautiful and challenging full length nine hole layout that is enjoyable for players of all skill levels. Adding to its beauty are the flowing creeks and ponds that come into play on seven of the nine holes. Also enjoy the unique outside Cabana Bar and Grill. Great food, cold drinks, outstanding atmosphere and friendly staff will complete your HeatherRidge golfing experience. Golf clubs available for rent. Located on Northern Illinois' favorite 9-hole golf course, The HeatherRidge Clubhouse is a beautiful venue for just about any occasion. If you are planning a weddings, banquets or party we are the place.

The Itasca Park District provides education and year-round recreation for constructive and enjoyable leisure time experiences. Come out and enjoy Itasca's award-winning waterpark, nature center, fitness facility and many community parks.

Built on the well-known Cuneo Estate in Vernon Hills, White Deer Run Golf Club is an 18-hole public course sprawling over 240 acres of rolling terrain and picturesque lakes with bent grass greens and fairways. Able to accommodate small and large group outings and banquets.

18-hole golf course with driving range, restaurant and pro shop. Oak Brook Golf Club is a classic playing experience in a spectacular natural setting where every hole calls for solid shot-making from tee to green. Unlike boring daily-fee courses of cookie-cutter municipal courses, this is a thinking person's course that rewards sound play for players at any skill level.

The present Springbrook facilities includes a barn-styled building with a classroom, open area with activities, a large aquarium and restrooms. The land includes 2 miles of trails that are open year-round. Whether you are walking through a tunnel of prairie grasses or standing four feet above a cattail marsh on the 700 foot long boardwalk, the sights will take you back to the days of the explorers. Along your walk you’ll discover a flowing brook, shady woods, flower-filled meadows and prairies, and marshes thick with cattails and ancient willows.

This collection of eighteen holes now provides golfers with an adventure through a variety of unique golf holes in a beautiful setting. The prairie style clubhouse features an expanded golf shop, locker rooms, event rooms with expansive ceilings and a full scale food and beverage operations. Enjoy dining at the Hickory Stick Bar & Grill and experience stunning golf course views.

Built on the grounds of the Ladd Arboretum in 1974, the Evanston Ecology Center serves as the education nucleus of the arboretum. An area of natural beauty, the arboretum stretches along a three-quarter mile segment of McCormick Boulevard on a narrow, 23-acre strip of reclaimed land that follows the diagonal course of the North Shore Channel. The Evanston Ecology Center offers many programs throughout the year such as an Easter egg hunt, community plays, and musical performances. Many are free.

The golf course has 18-holes and it is a par-70 course. Brae Loch Banquets feature a bright space in a country setting overlooking the fairways at the Lake County Forest Preserves Brae Loch Golf Club. A fine balance of food, location and people are the three ingredients that an event at Brae Loch brings together for a truly memorable experience. The banquet facility comfortably seats up to 165. The menu includes appetizers, entrees, and desserts that are almost too beautiful to eat, but too wonderful to skip.

Let us save your soles today! We'll take you for a ride, give you a tour, provide shuttles for your party or even run errands with our fleet of pedicabs (aka bicycle rickshaws). Call us at 773-771-3922 or visit www.rickshawrick.com. Catch us at the Oak Park Visitors Center, Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio, Write Inn, Harvey House, Under the Ginkgo Tree B & B and other fun spots.